Non-browning apple cultivar named 'SJCA38R6A74'

Jun 17, 2005

A new and distinct apple tree cultivar named ‘SJCA38R6A74’ is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of Northern Eastern Central Canada. The fruit of ‘SJCA38R6A74’, which hangs well on tree, is a dessert apple having very good firmness, crispness and flavor, high quality flesh and a long shelf life. The phenol (oxidative agent) content of this cultivar's fruit is significantly lower than that of other known cultivars, including Cortland which is the most popular apple variety for transformation. No browning of the fruit occurs after cutting (even after 4-5 days at room temperature), without adding any chemical, which makes it an excellent candidate for fresh fruit slice, fruit salad, dried apple chips and processing juice, cider).

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct apple cultivar designated as ‘SJCA38R6A74’. This cultivar belongs to the genus Malus×domestica.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar ‘SJCA38R6A74’, also tested as A38R6A38, originated from a cross between ‘Linda’ and NY44428-5 (Jonamac), made at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (MFC), within the Horticultural Research and Development Center (HRDC) fruit breeding program (FIG. 1). ‘SJCA38R6A74’ was asexually reproduced by grafting on selected rootstocks in L'Acadie and Frelighsburg substations of AAFC in Quebec, and has been under evaluation since 1985 in replicated trials.

The fruit, leave and tree morphology of ‘SJCA38R6A74’ were stable during the evaluation period in Quebec (Frelighsburg and Acadie). ‘SJCA38R6A74’ is now an established and stable cultivar.

‘SJCA38R6A74’ is similar to its parents in terms of fruit size, tree vigor and harvest date. However, ‘SJCA38R6A74’ is distinguishable from its parents in several respects e.g. fruit over, blush and ground color, fruit shape, tree growing habit which is spreading drooping, in opposition with Linda (upright) and Jonamac (upright spreading). Furthermore, the fruits of ‘SJCA38R6A74’ are persistent and do not fall at maturity even after freezing at −20° C. in February (FIG. 7), contrary to its parents, of which some fruits drop at maturity and do not stay on tree after freezing.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘SJCA38R6A74’ is adapted to the Northern climate and growing conditions similar to those of Frelighsburg and L'Acadie, Quebec.

‘SJCA38R6A74’ is a dessert apple (domestica Borkh.) type with improved firmness, crispness, high quality flesh and much longer shelf life than McIntosh and Cortland. The fruit flavor is pronounced and the fruits hang well on tree. The flesh is juicy, firm, crisp and resistant to bruising. The phenol (oxidative agent) content of the fruit is significantly less than the other known cultivars, even of Cortland which is the most popular apple variety for transformation and production of apple chips and fruit salad. No browning of the fruit occurs after cutting (even after 4-5 days at room temperature), without adding any chemical, which makes it an excellent candidate for fresh fruit slice, fruit salad, dried apple chips and processing Ouice, cider).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color photographs show typical specimens of the new variety at various stages of development as nearly true as it is possible to make in color reproductions.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the pedigree of ‘SJCA38R6A74’;

FIG. 2 shows trees of ‘SJCA38R6A74’ selection;

FIG. 3 shows the flowers of ‘SJCA38R6A74’;

FIG. 4 shows the fruit of ‘SJCA38R6A74’;

FIG. 5 shows the ‘SJCA38R6A74’ susceptibility to browning, 4 days after cutting at room temperature, as compared to other selected lines from MFC (‘SJC649’, ‘SJC658’, ‘SJC7123-2’) and to some industry standard cultivars (‘Gala’, ‘Galarina’, ‘McIntosh Summerland’, ‘Reinette Russet’, ‘Spartan’ and ‘Cortland’).

FIG. 6 shows bruising of the ‘SJCA38R6A74’ fruit after dropping; and

FIG. 7 shows the persistence of ‘SJCA38R6A74’ fruit on tree at maturity (photo taken on Dec. 15, 2004).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of ‘SJCA38R6A74’, a new and distinct cultivar of Malus domestica. It is based on observations made during several growing seasons, from 1999 to 2004, in 2 substations of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (MFC) in Quebec, namely L'Acadie and Frelighsburg and an apple orchard located in Mont Saint-Gregoire, Quebec. The colors are described using The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Chemical analysis of the ‘SJCA38R6A74’ fruits reveal low levels of phenols, as compared to well-known varieties, as shown in Table 1 below. In particular, This confers to the fruit its “no-browning” characteristic several hours after being cut with a stainless steel knife, until completely dried at room temperature.

A letter appearing in association with more than one value in a column of Table 1, indicates that the values associated with that letter are not significantly different from each other i.e. they differ from less than the least significant difference (LSD) .

The fruit has a long shelf life. It keeps its firmness, juiciness and flavor at standard cold room for 4-5 months. Given all its advantageous characteristics, the ‘SJCA38R6A74’ fruit is recommended for fresh eating, fruit salad and processing (dried apple chips).

‘SJCA38R6A74’ fruits are susceptible to bitter pit, particularly if the season is dry and no irrigation is provided. The fruits are resistant to water core and the flesh does not turn brown after bruising (FIG. 6). As stated earlier, and contrary to ‘McIntosh’, the fruits of ‘SJCA38R6A74’ do not drop at maturity and stay on the tree even at −20° C. (FIG. 7), which makes it a good candidate for “Ice Cider” Production.

Claims

1. A new and distinct apple cultivar named ‘SJCA38R6A74’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.